This festive season, Kwai Chai Hong lane in Chinatown KL is at its most enchanting after dark. Photo: The Star/Azalina Abdullah
Petaling Street’s heritage backlane Kwai Chai Hong ushers in the Chinese New Year festivities with its latest art installation, themed Guardians Of Legacy.
The installation, on display through March 8, gets its inspiration from the cloth tiger, a beloved form of folk art that is traditionally handmade by parents or grandparents and gifted to children as an expression of love.
The cloth tiger originates from northern China, notably in Shanxi Province.
Every cloth tiger is tailor-made with symbols of protection and wishes such as safety, courage, wisdom and good health specifically for the child receiving it.
“In many Chinese families, love between parents and children is shown through actions, not words,” said Zeen Chang, Kwai Chai Hong co-founder.
Each sculpture is accompanied by a poster detailing the meaning of its Zodiac animal and design elements. Photo: The Star/Azalina Abdullah
“As we grow, we learn this quiet love and the duty of filial piety. Guardians Of Legacy highlights this virtue, reflecting care and respect in return.”
Drawing on this deeply rooted tradition, Guardians Of Legacy presents 12 “Guardians” inspired by the Chinese zodiac. Best viewed at night, each illuminated sculpture conveys blessings of care, resilience, harmony, joy and prosperity.
This Chinese New Year project at Kwai Chai Hong in Kuala Lumpur is a collaboration with Guardian Malaysia.
'Personalised care'
Conceptualised by Kwai Chai Hong co-founder Javier Chor, Guardians Of Legacy features Zodiac Guardians as sculptural figures in diverse forms, poses, and scales, with the lead Horse guardian standing over 2.1m tall.
The tiger sculpture takes the form of the cloth tiger, which inspired this year's CNY installation. Photo: The Star/Azalina Abdullah
Like the care behind each cloth tiger, every guardian bears unique motifs and meanings, detailed on posters beside the sculptures.
“I know some may wonder why our installation isn’t horse-themed,” said Chor.
“At Kwai Chai Hong, we highlight lesser-known aspects of Chinese culture. What inspired me about the cloth tiger is that no two are ever the same – each carries different motifs and well-wishes, shaped by a parent’s hopes for their child: protection, peace, health and fortune. That sense of personalised care stayed with me.”
Chor added that the sculptures were designed to have a cloth-like look to them in honour of the cloth tiger, despite being 3D printed and hand-painted to withstand Malaysia’s tropical climate.
Late night photo opportunities abound at Kwai Chai Hong. Photo: The Star/Azalina Abdullah
Visit Kwai Chai Hong to snap photos with your Zodiac Guardian, then take part in the Blessings Parade, featuring six giant Horse inflatables carried around the block.
“We wanted to bring back the parade because last year’s fish lantern parade brought smiles to everyone and inspired a sense of joy and community,” said Chang.
With live drums and cultural dancers, the next Blessings Parade - free admission - begins at Kwai Chai Hong’s entrance this Saturday (Feb 7) at 11am.
Dress comfortably for the parade - there will be some walking, with plenty of smiles along the way.
Guardians Of Legacy runs at Kwai Chai Hong, Lorong Panggung, Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur until March 8. Open daily: 9am to midnight.
